-Nitrate(ΝΟ3+ –Ν). It is contained in nitrate ammonia, calcium nitrate ammonia as well as other fertilizers such as calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate, NP and NPK fertilizers, etc.

Nitrogen losses due to leaching and denitrification:

40-50%

2.How nitrogen lost after its application

AMMONIA EXTRACTION

After the application of common urea, the enzyme called urease (which is abundant in the soil) effects and starts the conversion of urea to ammoniacal nitrogen (hydrolysis). This process is completed within 2-3 days, leading to surpluses of ammoniacal nitrogen in the soil and leakage of gaseous ammonia into the atmosphere.

NITROGEN LOSSES DUE TO EXTRACTION GET OVER 30-50%

REDUCTION OF NITRATE NITROGEN

The conversion of ammonia nitrogen into nitrate (nitrification) is completed in two stages. Ammoniacal nitrogen is first converted to nitrite (with the help of Nitrosomonas) and then nitrate (with the intervention of Nitrobacter). Nitric nitrogen is negatively charged and repulsed by the negatively-charged soil colloids and quickly escapes the root substrate. The phenomenon is intensified in light sandy soils.

NITRATE NITROGEN LOSSES DUE TO REDUCTION GET OVER 15-25%

DETERMINATION OF NITRATE NITROGEN

Nitric nitrogen, except for leaching losses, is also at risk of denitrification losses. Under water-splashing conditions, soil pores containing oxygen are filled with water. Soil bacteria to breathe emit oxygen from nitric nitrogen and convert it to nitrogen (gaseous form) that is lost in the atmosphere. This process is more intense in clayey – heavy.